2000-Present

View the most recent contributions that helped expand UNW's academic and athletic programs.

2000 | A partnership with MacLaurin Institute on the University of Minnesota campus enables Northwestern faculty to teach Bible courses to university students for transferable credit. The Urban Bible Institute in downtown Minneapolis succeeds the North Minneapolis Campus as a Christian discipling outreach.

2001 | Northwestern receives NCA accreditation for the Christian Center for Communications, a degree site in Quito, Ecuador, offering a three-year program in radio, TV and journalism. Northwestern conducts its first-ever fall commencement to accommodate growing enrollment.

2002 | Alan S. Cureton becomes Northwestern's eighth president as the college celebrates its centennial with special events and observances throughout the 2002-03 academic year.

2003 | The Mel Johnson Media Center is completed as the headquarters for Northwestern Media and KTIS. The building also houses the academic department of communication.

2004 | The Riley Hall gym undergoes a renovation which adds more classroom space, faculty offices, two computer labs and a lounge area. Residence Life implements the integration of all class years (freshmen-seniors) throughout all of its residence halls. Antioch residence is established. Katrina Custer ’04 is awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, becoming UNW's first Fulbright Scholar.

2005 | The Center for Graduate Studies begins, offering a Master of Organizational Leadership. The Department of Science & Mathematics opens a new Research Lab facility. The Robertson Student Center remodels the annex into a coffee-house-style study lounge. Julianna Scheumann ’05 becomes UNW's second Fulbright Scholar.

2008 | Construction of a new parking lot and the ring road behind Riley prepare for the Community Life Commons. Former hotel property in Arden Hills is leased for additional student housing. New college logo is unveiled to communicate the college’s brand and identity. UNW adds three more Fulbright Scholars to the growing list when Ahna Boyum ’08 receives a Fulbright Scholarship and professors Dr. Sally Harris and Dr. Lisanne Winslow are awarded faculty Fulbright Scholarships for Teaching and Lecturing Overseas.

2009 | Meets fundraising goal with a $750,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation for the Envision Excllence capital campaign. Groundbreaking for the Billy Graham Community Life Commons. KTIS radio holds its 60th anniversary celebration with special guests at the Xcel Energy Center.

2011 | Charity Straszheim '10 is named Northwestern's eighth Fulbright Scholar. Center for Graduate Studies begins two new graduate degree programs: Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Human Services. Online graduate programs are introduced. On Oct. 7 the Northwestern community celebrates the Grand Opening of the Billy Graham Community Life Commons.

2012 | Master of Arts in Education is added to Center for Graduate Studies' offerings. Unique new Dual B.A./M.Div. in Pastoral Ministry begins, allowing students to earn a bachelor's degree and Master of Divinity in just five years. Charissa Doebler '12 becomes the ninth Fulbright Scholar in nine years. Northwestern is named to the Star Tribune Top Workplaces list for 2012.

2013 | Men's basketball team makes its third NCAA tournament appearance since becoming a Division III school. Anastasia Pederson ’13 becomes Northwestern's tenth Fulbright scholar in a decade. Northwestern College becomes University of Northwestern — St. Paul on July 1.

2014 | New $10.7 million Reynolds Field athletic complex is added to campus and includes synthetic turf fields for football/soccer/lacrosse, baseball and softball, as well as six regulation-size tennis courts, updated bleacher seating and new locker rooms. UNW is ranked 10th among Regional Midwestern college by U.S. News & World Report.

2015 | President Alan Cureton serves as chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council. UNW Men's Basketball team wins first-ever spot in the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 Tournament. Katelin Lee and Emily Herlinger become Northwestern's 11th and 12th Fulbright Scholars. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is granted full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.